Method and device for inserting a food stuff into a pliable bag

Abstract

A method and device of inserting a food stuff into a food stuff bag is disclosed, with the method involving providing a substantially flexible resilient food stuff support that is generally “U” shaped when viewed from its operative position on a countertop, inserting at least a first end of the device a short depth into an opening of a pliable bag, such first end having an edge that is curved and opposing sides that are substantially straight. A bending mechanism bends so that at least the first end deforms from a first configuration to a second configuration for insertion of the first end through the bag opening and into an interior of the bag, wherein when the forces are reduced, the first end changes shape toward the first configuration for holding a portion of the bag and for providing an open volume within the bag for transferring a food stuff to the interior of the bag.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for inserting a food stuff into a food stuff bag, comprising:
 a substantially flexible resilient food stuff support comprised of Teflon and having a Rockwell hardness of between 72 and 90, said food stuff support having at least one supporting element that has at least a first end for insertion into an opening of a pliable bag and a hand hold that is ergonomically contoured for comfortable grasping by a user and adapted for bowing of the food stuff support for applying one or more forces wherein when the forces are applied, the support bends so that at least the first end deforms from a first configuration to a second configuration for insertion of the first end through the bag opening and into an interior of the bag; 
 wherein when the forces are reduced, the first end changes shape toward the first configuration for holding a portion of the bag and for providing an open volume within the bag for transferring a food stuff to the interior of the bag; thereby holding the bag open; and wherein said supporting element has an upright arrangement for supporting the food stuff in an orientation for transferring the food stuff into the bag, and a different substantially flattened arrangement for storage, said food stuff support including a mesh portion to permit a liquid to drain through the food support. 
 
     
     
       2. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible resilient food stuff support comprises lexan polycarbonate. 
     
     
       3. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein device is generally “U” shaped when viewed from its operative position on a countertop. 
     
     
       4. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first end has no sharp corners that could snag, tear or cut the bag. 
     
     
       5. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first end has contoured edges. 
     
     
       6. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said support bending mechanism includes a gripping structure to facilitate insertion and removal of a pliable bag. 
     
     
       7. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said device does not require a user to manually maintain the bag opener in said orientation for transferring the food stuff into the bag while depositing a food stuff into a pliable bag. 
     
     
       8. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said device is in a substantially planar orientation when not in use. 
     
     
       9. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said device facilitates holding pliable bags able to hold 2 gallons of food stuff. 
     
     
       10. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the bag is held taunt by the device to thereby maintain the bag and its interior to open for accepting the food stuff. 
     
     
       11. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the device has an insertion edge that is rounded to ease the device into the pliable bag and substantially only the first end is bendable. 
     
     
       12. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said device has indicia on said food stuff support comprising at least two concentric circles, each of said circles indicative of an approximate quantity of one or more food stuffs that may be placed on said food stuff support.